ML500 and ULEZ exemption

[ab9758]

Just drafting text for ad to put my black ML500 (84k/2006 FSH) up for sale. Only 3 or so for sale in UK (30.09.20) and approx 8 sold in last 10 weeks.

Realising (but unsurprised) how much of an impact mileage has on price. Once 100k+, price drops dramatically.

Would value input on something I want to stress as a selling point.

Those of us in Central London are used to the ULEZ charge. It's currently £12.50 a day (£4,550 a year) and penalties for missing payment @£160. (And almost certain to be regularly raised.)

I know for many non-Londoners it won't matter, but it will extend to the whole of the inside of the North/South Circular Road from next Oct 2021. We should presume this will soon extend to the M25 and to cities such as Oxford and Cambridge.

My ML500 and my previous ML63s are all exempt, in spite of being 5.0L/6.3L V8s and pumping out huge CO2.

I think every pre-2013 diesel ML and many of the rest of the range up to 2015 will be liable. ULEZ calculator

And my local council (Westminster) has followed several others and charges an extra 50% for all diesels to Pay & Park. I think Richmond also charges extra for Residents' Permits for diesels.

I'm trying to find the words/bullet points to stress that if facing a £4,550 a year hit simply for buying an ML diesel, then my ML500 can make real sense.

(And could be reflected in the price?)

This time last year, an average 2006-08 ML500 would be roughly £5,500-£8,000 for mint.
Today the same age and mileage are selling for £9000-£10,000. And as said above, have become very rare.

I'm going to use Autotrader more than the usual outlets (Motors, eBay/Gumtree, Car Guru) unless you advise a wider campaign?

 

[SW18]

Lots of Autotrader ads now state 'ULEZ Compliant' in the subheading. I'm not sure it will increase the value though, but you never know...

 

[bolidemichael]

I think that stating 'ULEZ compliant' is adequate

 

[horatio]

I know for many non-Londoners it won't matter, but it will extend to the whole of the inside of the North/South Circular Road from next Oct 2021. We should presume this will soon extend to the M25 and to cities such as Oxford and Cambridge.

Just write ULEZ compliant. I would imagine the fuel they gourge through is more than £12.50 a day though I wouldn’t be surprised if it will be bought for export.

I doubt they will allow V8‘s to be driven around Scot free for long anyway. It’s pretty obvious the plan is to keep moving the goalposts until only EV’s are left.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Autotrader is the only medium to use to address the nation. Gumtree's more local, Ebay's downmarket. People will travel to buy such a rare vehicle

You don't need to educate people about the impending nonsense about regional ULEZ, they already know. And if they don't, they're not going to be reading your advert in the first place.

It's worth pointing out that being ULEZ compliant it won't poison schoolchildren, the engine is MUCH cheaper to maintain than a diesel, especially on short runs.

"Top tip" is to cheat the search engines by saying something like "smarter choice than the ML350, Volvo XC90 or Range Rover." That will put your advert in front of people despairing in their search for another brand or model.

Photograph the reasons that people are looking for the car: the big rear loading bay, the third row of seats (if it has them), and the extras on the car. Take clear photos, on a sunny day, if you don't have a decent smartphone camera, get someone who does to take the photos. Living in an urban backdrop, avoid using the local Council estate as a backdrop to the car. Take photos in one of the London parks.

You have a huge advantage being in Central London - many buyers won't cross London, or the Country, to go to Hook or Biggleswade - they have no idea where that is, and no other justification to go there. (I went to see my SL500 because it was in Cambridge and the whole trip justified itself as a day trip)

Price to sell the car before the clocks change at the end of October. You're on a hiding to nothing from November to the end of February: it's too dark and cold, and there are more important things going on. You're right about the greater demand / higher prices for petrol family cars.

You'll see soon enough how many are looking or calling, but it only takes one to buy.

 

[Nat]

Just had a look at the prices asked and they are more than previous years. I may consider selling mine if it would make the kind of money in your guideline prices. Problem been what would you replace it with as while they're not great on fuel (but equally not that bad either compared to other marques of it's size) the spec, looks and reliability of them are quite impressive.

For comparisons mine is a 55 plate done 117k miles.

 

[ab9758]

Autotrader is the only medium to use to address the nation. Gumtree's more local, Ebay's downmarket. People will travel to buy such a rare vehicle

You don't need to educate people about the impending nonsense about regional ULEZ, they already know. And if they don't, they're not going to be reading your advert in the first place.

It's worth pointing out that being ULEZ compliant it won't poison schoolchildren, the engine is MUCH cheaper to maintain than a diesel, especially on short runs.

"Top tip" is to cheat the search engines by saying something like "smarter choice than the ML350, Volvo XC90 or Range Rover." That will put your advert in front of people despairing in their search for another brand or model.

Photograph the reasons that people are looking for the car: the big rear loading bay, the third row of seats (if it has them), and the extras on the car. Take clear photos, on a sunny day, if you don't have a decent smartphone camera, get someone who does to take the photos. Living in an urban backdrop, avoid using the local Council estate as a backdrop to the car. Take photos in one of the London parks.

You have a huge advantage being in Central London - many buyers won't cross London, or the Country, to go to Hook or Biggleswade - they have no idea where that is, and no other justification to go there. (I went to see my SL500 because it was in Cambridge and the whole trip justified itself as a day trip)

Price to sell the car before the clocks change at the end of October. You're on a hiding to nothing from November to the end of February: it's too dark and cold, and there are more important things going on. You're right about the greater demand / higher prices for petrol family cars.

You'll see soon enough how many are looking or calling, but it only takes one to buy.

Mike - hugely helpful and many really good ideas and pointers. Many thanks for this

 

[ab9758]

Just had a look at the prices asked and they are more than previous years. I may consider selling mine if it would make the kind of money in your guideline prices. Problem been what would you replace it with as while they're not great on fuel (but equally not that bad either compared to other marques of it's size) the spec, looks and reliability of them are quite impressive.

For comparisons mine is a 55 plate done 117k miles.

Nat - only someone as idiotic as me would be looking to buy my 3rd ML63 AMG (say 2007-2010) once the ML500 is sold. It was a maddening experience with the last ML63, but only doing 1900 miles in 11 months. Real issue is I didn't fully appreciate it until I swapped for the ML500. [I think there have been love songs composed on this theme.]

Upfront price for the ML63 is (for now) only £2-4,000 more than the ML500, but all other fixed costs are much the same (insurance/VED/parking etc). And I only average 13mpg in the ML500, a smidgen worse than the ML63. (Although I did manage to get 4-6mpg in mine for several months.)

What I haven't mentioned and am avoiding are the horrendous servicing/maintenance costs with the AMG. Still haven't recovered from the MB quote of £2,700 for the front disks and pads. Yup, I know but there weren't any alternatives to the 390mm disks at the time.

 

[AW8]

I sold my 2005 V8 petrol RRS last year. I mentioned ULEZ in the advert. Many are clueless that currently Euro 4 petrol cars are exempt. Buyer said he didn't care as he didn't care as he no intention to drive near London, (but I also had a London based enquiry). Many are oblivious of change(s) until pockets hit.

Can't remember my exact ULEZ reference wording, but this would work...."ULEZ exempt, (Euro 4 petrol). Current ULEZ charge £12.50 per day /£4,550 a year (daily use). ULEZ widening in 2021, (& allegedly being future considered beyond London)."

IMO nothing wrong with using ebay classifieds in 2020.....Main dealers & specialist traders use it too. I personally find it easier to load & search on than AT.

 

[bolidemichael]

Car and Classic is good too as is Pistonheads

 

[Screwdriver]

I wouldn't trust anything that Khan does to remain predictable/ stable. If he somehow survives the upcoming election, he has plans to move the ULEZ charge forward on a rolling basis. That means newer cars that scraped through will no longer be exempt.

Not heard anything about plans to further increase the ULEZ zone.

 

[E55BOF]

This time last year, an average 2006-08 ML500 would be roughly £5,500-£8,000 for mint.
Today the same age and mileage are selling for £9000-£10,000. And as said above, have become very rare.

Really? Those may be dealer asking prices; selling prices are often much lower. If I could find a really nice W164 ML500 in one of my ideal colour combinations (there aren't many, and black isn't one of them...), I might be tempted, but not at that sort of price. Good luck.

 

[horatio]

I wouldn't trust anything that Khan does to remain predictable/ stable. If he somehow survives the upcoming election, he has plans to move the ULEZ charge forward on a rolling basis. That means newer cars that scraped through will no longer be exempt.

Not heard anything about plans to further increase the ULEZ zone.

Yep. It’s extremely unlikely that they spent millions setting up cameras etc just to hit pre EU6 diesels which will be rapidly disappearing from the roads at this age anyway.

Once the system is set up they can add anything to the hit list at a moments notice . I would bet petrols over a certain Co2 tax band will be added next.

 

[ab9758]

Big thanks to Mike from Wimbledon for adding "better deal than .."
Need to preface this post by saying my divorces were easier to handle.
Posted 90 day advert (the £75 one) Autotrader and eBay (just in case).late Friday evening,

It sold to the very first person who called the next morning (Saturday) and they came up from Hampshire within 2 hours.
They'd seen a few but loved mine - and price wasn't an issue. Asked and got £9,100 (2006/83k miles/black) .

The ML500 has become suddenly hugely popular (I've been monitoring them since June).
Prices are getting a bit silly but achieving top prices for black and under 90,000miles. = decent ones were £9,000-£11,000
You may need to grab the first decent one you can!
May be worth adding that I got £3,000 more than I paid 3 years ago this week.
Turned into a good investment. And it's maddeningly reliable. Never ever broke down and started first time every time.
,

The ULEZ exemption for petrol has become a major issue here in London and soon the charging zone will be everywhere inside the North/South Circular Road.
And I hear that Oxford and Cambridge will both be bringing their own charging zones in as well.
Pity the Mercedes ML diesel owners who were all told it was the future.

I want to buy yet another ML63 AMG (complete madness I know, but it'll be my fourth.)
But, back to planet earth for a while.
Looking at 2006 B200 Turbo to see me through the winter (I'll only do about 900 miles between now and next March.)

Started out with MB with a long wheel base A class. Loved it for pottering around and could get the baby stroller in the back seat with the baby still in it. (That's the best use of legroom!)

So hopeful that a similar age B200 turbo auto petrol for £1,000-£1,500 could do for now.
Only a couple available and the one nearest to me is the cheapest with 147,000 miles.

Dilemma is that seller has truly appalling online reviews. Have to think through how bad issues could be if test drive is fine and manage to reduce price by £1,000.
(Sort of pricing when I could possibly dump the car if many repairs come up costing more.)
Will find the B forum here but all the best to you all until my ML63 turns up
Alan

 

[Oli]

What you really want is an old W124 diesel on foreign plates .
On a serious note, getting an ML63 to be more considerate in regards to air pollution, I like your style.
Personally I’m not too bothered about the ULEZ charge being extended to the North and South circulars, absolutely hate London and hate driving in it even more.

Also as another contender have you considered a Cayenne Turbo?, I had one and thought it was great.

 

[E55BOF]

OP, well done for selling at the top of the market. Once the petrol exemption is changed (it will be...) and the bubble bursts, prices will halve again. I wonder what the chattering classes will go for then.

 

[ab9758]

Lots of Autotrader ads now state 'ULEZ Compliant' in the subheading. I'm not sure it will increase the value though, but you never know...

I have to tick the box on all car searches so it is affecting buyers

 

[ab9758]

No real idea if helpful or of interest, but I was monitoring my ML500 prices in Europe as well as UK. (Lots of London buyers rely on car to return trips to home county - my buyers will be heading to Poland in New Year.)
Prices for LHD are even madder than UK, but wonder if will impact certain SUV models?
I can only assume the FInns are feeling flush

73,321​	2006​	£12,470​	​	​	​	Italy​
65,865​	2006​	£27,650​	​	​	​	Finland​
56,000​	2006​	£17,800​	​	​	​	Germany​
55,725​	2006​	£18,700​	​	​	​	Germany​
62,000​	2007​	£16,925​	​	​	​	Germany​
45,360​	2007​	£17,725​	​	​	​	Germany​

 

[SW18]

No real idea if helpful or of interest, but I was monitoring my ML500 prices in Europe as well as UK. (Lots of London buyers rely on car to return trips to home county - my buyers will be heading to Poland in New Year.)
Prices for LHD are even madder than UK, but wonder if will impact certain SUV models?
I can only assume the FInns are feeling flush

73,321​	2006​	£12,470​	​	​	​	Italy​
65,865​	2006​	£27,650​	​	​	​	Finland​
56,000​	2006​	£17,800​	​	​	​	Germany​
55,725​	2006​	£18,700​	​	​	​	Germany​
62,000​	2007​	£16,925​	​	​	​	Germany​
45,360​	2007​	£17,725​	​	​	​	Germany​

Those are some high prices! Finland has huge sales taxes for cars, so I suppose this flows through into second hand values. NL is the same.

 

[Bert_W164]

I'm not sure if @Bobby Dazzler is still willing to sell his, but if so, your search for a ML63 could be a short and easy journey.

I purchased mine in its limited pool of availability, you could say it was the best of the not so amazing pool of ML63s out there and available to me in 2018... and its cost me a fair chunk of money and time to put right.

In hindsight I do kick myself a bit for not coming onto the forums and purchasing a well looked after example. It was also short sighted of me to not research the weak points and or flaws of the W164 (rear light seals anyone?) but then I've refreshed almost everything that could fail due to the test of time and my ML63 is the first car I've owned for over 2 years, (25+ cars over the last 13 years) the ML is the only one that no matter what I can't fall out of love with.

If it's not obvious I'm damn biased and adore my ML.